MEDT8461Project1

Description of Project:
The first project was to create an Annotated Bibliography of at least 10 research articles. The research revolved around gaining information in regards to some topic of my choice in regards to social media, citing relevant peer-reviewed articles, and providing a brief description of the articles authors, the findings and conclusion of the article. I chose the negative aspects of social media focusing on the need to find ways to educate students about cyber-bullying and digital citizenship/responsibility. I also focused on ways that schools can create and implement a plans to help educate students, parents and teachers on ways to combat cyber-bullying. Each article was read and reviewed, cited in APA 6th edition format and provided with an annotated bibliography. This material gather was later used in Project to create an infograph mapping the major concepts and themes in relationship to implementing a plan for a successful diffusion of a concept related to social media.

Originally, my focus was going to be on the pros and cons of social media, specifically focusing on the psychological effects of social media. However, I quickly realized that I needed to tailor this idea. My current position is Associate Dean of Students and I primarily deal with student discipline. One major area of concern is cyber-bullying. I think that we have an obligation to educate students, parents and teachers about how social media has many positives in the area of education, it also has a negative side. It is critical that users are taught appropriate uses and teachers and parents are educated about what is out there in the cyber world to facilitate ongoing education and guidance of students. New Hampshire passed a law (which went into effect January 1, 2011) in regards to how schools deal with bullying, it focuses on creating a record of documentation. One component of the law states that bullying (including cyber-bullying) can be any isolated event or series of events that leads to a hostile environment in a school building. The key isolating and limiting cyber-bullying is to educate students on appropriate uses of social media tools.
 * Introduction **

Once I finished my research and created my list of articles, I was pleased with what I found and know that I may need some additional resources as the project leads into the next level. I was able to find general resources that support the idea that education is changing and technology, specifically social media, has a key role in that change. I also wanted to find articles that focus on the need to educate teachers and students about these fast coming/already here technologies. The idea of bullying very much affects a student in school and with new technologies, unfortunately, they have created an avenue for bullying as well. There is a huge need and call for education in this area at my school. Students do not realize that what they do outside school in the cyber world can easier enter into the school environment, therefore, must be dealt with by school officials. Teachers need to help and be one of the first areas of defense in trying to educate students about digital citizenship and responsibility that affects them both in and outside of the school walls. Schools have an obligation to teach ethical practices because the boundaries of what is happening inside and outside school cross over one another with dealing with peer interactions with social media.
 * Conclusion **

Project 1 - Introduction, Reference Citations and annotated bibliography, Conclusion are included in the below document

 * (//same information as above in Word document//): **

About the Author:
Suzanne Trice is an Associate Dean at Pinkerton Academy in southern New Hampshire, about 35 minutes north of Boston. Her teaching experience was teaching social studies where she taught both middle and high school outside of Atlanta, Georgia in Cobb County. While teaching, she enjoyed differentiated teaching techniques and became very interested in integrating technology into her classes. After 12 years of teaching, Suzanne moved to New Hampshire, a place where she vacationed since she was 9 years old. She has had the opportunity at Pinkerton Academy to share her knowledge about technology in many different ways including writing a social media policy for both students and teachers, chairs the Technology Integration committees, and planned a Technology Workshop day for 300 staff members showcasing 18 different Web 2.0 and social media tools. It is her desire to continue her education in technology so that she can continue to provide professional development for teachers in the area of technology integration into their classroom teaching. Suzanne would like to also take her leadership experience and work in higher education working wth pre-service teachers in the use of technology in education.